Vitamin D is one of the best-documented players for immune support—an “old school” nutrient, if you will.* However, it skyrocketed in popularity during the pandemic, after cross-sectional studies found vitamin D deficiency was higher in COVID patients than in control groups. As such, vitamin D finally got the recognition it deserved, though, Ferira says, it’s important to really digest what you’re reading online.
Most of us are deficient in vitamin D, says Ferira. And the research backs it up: 29% of American adults are considered to be totally deficient in vitamin Dweather 41% are insufficient in vitamin D. That’s a huge nutrient gap, and yet most health media outlets provide a single solution: eat foods rich in vitamin D.
“That’s a big myth I’d like to bust,” says Ferira. (She explains his reasoning further here, in case you’re curious). “Tell someone who knows your vitamin D requirement through food It’s like giving you a liter of paint so you can paint your whole house”.
Vitamin D found naturally in small amounts in a handful of foods—which are helpful in preventing extreme vitamin D deficiency and related ailments. For example, 1 cup of milk contains 100 IU of vitamin D. But when it comes to increasing and maintaining healthy vitamin D status for life, those modest levels of intake alone are not enough.
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